Vietnam Travel Guide
Three climates in one country: the north is best March–April and October–November, the centre February–May, the south December–April.
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Vietnam at a glance
Best time to visit Vietnam
Three climates in one country: the north is best March–April and October–November, the centre February–May, the south December–April.
Peak: Tết (Lunar New Year) closes businesses and books out transport; July–August is domestic high season on the coast.
Shoulder season: September and March: fewer crowds, moderate prices, mostly settled weather.
Visa and entry
90-day e-visa available for most nationalities at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Some nationalities get visa-free.
Entry rules depend on your nationality and change frequently. Always confirm with an official embassy or consulate source before booking.
Money and tipping
Vietnam uses the VND (₫).
Not obligatory. 10–15% at tourist restaurants; 20,000–50,000 VND for drivers or guides.
Getting around
City buses are very cheap (around ₫7,000) but most visitors use Grab: a short bike ride is roughly ₫20,000–40,000. Hanoi's metro line 2A sells a day ticket at about ₫30,000.
When a pass pays off: No tourist pass is worth buying — app-hailed rides with an upfront price usually beat everything and remove haggling.
Local etiquette
Do
- Bargain politely at markets — around 60–70% of the opening price is a normal counter.
- Use both hands when giving or receiving something from someone older.
- Cover shoulders and knees at pagodas and mausoleums.
Avoid
- Don't cross the road in bursts — walk slowly and predictably so scooters can flow around you.
- Don't leave chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice.
- Don't photograph inside mausoleums or at military sites.
Common scams and tourist traps
- Fast-running taxi meters are common; stick to Grab, Xanh SM, Mai Linh or Vinasun.
- “Free” shoeshines and fruit-basket photo props in Hanoi's Old Quarter end with an inflated demand for payment.
- Motorbike hire damage claims — photograph the bike and never hand over your passport as deposit.
Health
Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Vietnam, and dengue fever precautions are advisable, with Japanese encephalitis vaccination sometimes suggested for extended rural stays. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
When locals eat
Meal windows shift by country, and eating on the local clock is the difference between a full restaurant and a closed kitchen.
| Meal | Early riser | Typical | Night owl |
|---|---|---|---|
| breakfast | 6:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| lunch | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 1:30 PM |
| dinner | 6:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 9:00 PM |
Useful Vietnamese phrases
English is common in hotels and tourist restaurants, limited elsewhere; Vietnamese is tonal, so an app helps more than phonetics.
- Hello
- Xin chào(sin-chow)
- Thank you
- Cảm ơn(gam-un)
- Excuse me / sorry
- Xin lỗi(sin-loy)
- How much is this?
- Bao nhiêu tiền?(bow-nyew-tien)
Staying connected
eSIM providers that cover Vietnam: Airalo, Holafly. Buying an eSIM before you fly avoids airport queues and roaming charges.
Vietnam travel FAQ
- When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
- Three climates in one country: the north is best March–April and October–November, the centre February–May, the south December–April.
- Do I need a visa to visit Vietnam?
- 90-day e-visa available for most nationalities at evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Some nationalities get visa-free. Entry rules depend on your nationality and change often — confirm with an official consulate or embassy source before booking.
- Do you tip in Vietnam?
- Not obligatory. 10–15% at tourist restaurants; 20,000–50,000 VND for drivers or guides.
- What currency is used in Vietnam?
- Vietnam uses the VND (₫).
- What power plug and voltage does Vietnam use?
- Vietnam uses Type A and Type C and Type F sockets at 220V / 50 Hz. Check your device's rated input before travelling; most modern laptop and phone chargers handle both 110V and 220V.
- What is the emergency number in Vietnam?
- In Vietnam, call 113 (police) / 115 (ambulance) / 114 (fire).
- What time zone is Vietnam in?
- Vietnam is in the Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh time zone (UTC+07:00).
- What language is spoken in Vietnam?
- The main language is Vietnamese. English is common in hotels and tourist restaurants, limited elsewhere; Vietnamese is tonal, so an app helps more than phonetics.
- Is public transport worth buying a pass for in Vietnam?
- City buses are very cheap (around ₫7,000) but most visitors use Grab: a short bike ride is roughly ₫20,000–40,000. Hanoi's metro line 2A sells a day ticket at about ₫30,000. No tourist pass is worth buying — app-hailed rides with an upfront price usually beat everything and remove haggling.
- What health precautions should I take in Vietnam?
- Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations are commonly recommended for Vietnam, and dengue fever precautions are advisable, with Japanese encephalitis vaccination sometimes suggested for extended rural stays. This is general information, not medical advice — consult a doctor or travel clinic before your trip.
Ready-made Vietnam itineraries
Plan a Vietnam trip around how you actually travel
Travaio builds a day-by-day plan from your travel style, with verified places, real opening hours, and local meal times already accounted for.
Plan my Vietnam tripThis guide is general travel information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Visa, health, and safety requirements change — verify anything time-sensitive with an official source before you travel.